Capricor Therapeutics has announced that researchers found that repeat dosing of the company’s proprietary cellular therapy, CAP-1002, yields an increase in exercise performance in a disease model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy, the mdx mouse. The upcoming HOPE-2 clinical trial will test the safety and efficacy of repeat doses of CAP-1002 in boys and young men with…

PPMD and NIH are convening a group of more than 60 researchers, post-docs, neurologists, surgeons, industry partners, physiatrists, and physical therapists on April 19-20, 2018, who have experience and expertise in the development, prevention, and management of contractures to discuss these critical issues.

Solid has provided a letter to the community with the latest news on their halted IGNITE DMD program due to a serious adverse event experienced by the first patient dosed with SGT-001. While the patient continues to do well, Solid has been able to successfully resolve the previously-announced partial clinical hold on the planned high dose of SGT-001 in IGNITE DMD, which was due to manufacturing-related questions from the FDA. While encouraging, IGNITE DMD remains on hold until they…

PPMD is thrilled to learn that Pfizer Inc. has initiated a Phase 1b clinical trial for its mini-dystrophin gene therapy candidate, PF-06939926, in Duchenne, with the first boy receiving an infusion of the mini-dystrophin gene on March 22, administered under the supervision of principal investigator, Edward Smith, MD, Associate Professor of Pediatrics and Neurology at Duke University Medical Center. Screening and enrollment of patients is expected to continue at up to four clinical…

In total, 19 Senators signed onto the Senate FY19 letter, joining 51 members of the House. That makes a solid 70 members of Congress (House and Senate combined) sending a strong message of support behind Duchenne research, public health, drug development, and patient support initiatives. They provide strategic direction for the federal agencies that touch Duchenne. Given the…

Roche has provided an updateto the community announcing that they have restarted recruitment of RG6206, an investigational anti-myostatin adnectin, in ambulatory boys with Duchenne. PPMD will be hosting a webinar with Roche in the coming weeks and we look forward to learning more.…

Just like a house needs a stable frame, your body needs a stable skeleton. Bone health is important for anyone living with Duchenne, whether walking (ambulatory) or those no longer able to walk without the assistance of a wheelchair or scooter (non-ambulatory). People of all ages living with Duchenne have weak bones, especially if they are taking steroids…

PPMD was excited to head to the Midwest for the second stop on the 2018 End Duchenne Tour. The event took place at Western Michigan University in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in partnership with Team Joseph, Little Hercules Foundations, and Noah’s Feat.…

PPMD fights to end Duchenne for every single family. As part of our mission, we believe that we must continually work to identify and explore innovative opportunities that may accelerate the drug development and clinical trial process, getting effective therapies to individuals with Duchenne as quickly as possible.

Sarepta Therapeutics announced the launch of Route 79, The Duchenne Scholarship Program, an annual scholarship for students diagnosed with Duchenne. The Route 79 program is designed to help students with Duchenne pursue their post-secondary educational goals. Scholarships of up to $10,000 will be awarded to 10 individuals chosen by an independent committee of Duchenne community members based on an applicant’s…

Solid Biosciences announced that the FDA has placed their Phase I/II clinical trial for SGT-001, IGNITE DMD, on Clinical Hold following a serious adverse event that occurred in the first patient dosed, a non-ambulatory adolescent. The patient was admitted to the hospital, received treatment, and is home with his…

Companies developing gene therapies, the FDA, and other stakeholders are interested in the treatment priorities of the Duchenne community. Because of this, PPMD has collaborated with RTI International, with financial support from Solid Biosciences and…

Roche has provided an update to the community regarding the paused recruitment of RG6206, an investigational anti-myostatin adnectin, in ambulatory boys with Duchenne. The company hopes to restart recruitment in the second quarter of this year.

Pulmonary management in Duchenne (all of the care involved with breathing and coughing) can be confusing and difficult to understand. There are many terms, abbreviations, and procedures that all sound very complicated. PPMD – with support from Santhera Pharmaceuticals and input from a panel of parents,…

There are hardly words to capture the impact our unified community had on Monday. We had traveled from all over the nation to convene with federal policymakers, industry partners, and payers for the Duchenne Patient-Focused Compass Meeting: Navigating our Pathway Forward. Nested within PPMD’s…

Summit has announced additional positive data from its PhaseOut DMD clinical trial today, showing a significant reduction in muscle inflammation after 24 weeks of ezutromid dosing. The findings in their 24-week interim data are consistent with the expected…

Capricor Therapeutics announced the online publication in Stem Cell Reports of a new study by researchers at the Smidt Heart Institute at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, who found that cardiosphere-derived cells (CDCs) improved cardiac muscle function, walking abilities and survival in a mouse model of Duchenne. The CDCs used in the study are the research grade version of CAP-1002,…